Element FORM/USE: 'NEITHER … NOR', EMPHASIS
SuperCat CLAUSES
SubCat coordinated
Lexical Range N/A
Level B2
Cando Can combine two main clauses of the same type using 'neither' in front or mid position, followed by 'nor' to introduce the second clause, for emphasis.
Corrected Learner Example We neither walk nor do exercises. (Turkey; B2 VANTAGE; 2000; Turkish; Fail)

They neither got married nor had children. (Argentina; B2 VANTAGE; 1997; Korean; Pass)

We should neither eat too much, nor eat too. (France; B2 VANTAGE; 1999; French; Pass)
Uncorrected Learner Example
Comments The writer chooses this structure so as to add emphasis. The less emphatic alternative to 'We neither walk nor do exercises' is 'We don’t walk or do exercises'.

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